Method, device, and system for inter-frequency cell measurement

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method, a device, and a system for inter-frequency cell measurement. The method includes: performing, by a terminal, when receiving a measurement command of a network side device, inter-frequency cell measurement, in different cases, based on the time specified in different measurement time parameters or based on measurement time parameters corresponding to the information about an inter-frequency band. As different measurement time parameters specify different time actually used for measurement, not only an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event can be measured, but also the time for measurement by the terminal can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal and enhancing the performance of the terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/CN2012/085526, filed on Nov. 29, 2012, which claims priority toChina Patent Application No. 201210018153.X, filed on Jan. 19, 2012,both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of wirelesscommunications, and in particular, to a method, a device, and a systemfor inter-frequency cell measurement.

BACKGROUND

With the rapid development of communications technologies, the futuredevelopment trend of communications networks is that a variety ofwireless communications networks coexist and develop, and thereforeheterogeneous network deployment is gradually introduced in a wirelessnetwork.

In heterogeneous network deployment, network coverage is formed by cellsof different sizes and types, such as macrocells, small cells, andmicrocells. A macrocell has a large and continuous coverage area, andseamless coverage is formed between macrocells. Within the coverage of amacrocell, several low-power nodes, such as a small base station, a homebase station, a relay station and a wireless local area network accesspoint, are usually deployed. Because these low-power nodes have smallwireless coverage areas, they are referred to small cells; that is, thecoverage of a macrocell includes the coverage of a plurality of smallcells, and in heterogeneous network deployment, small cells arescattered in a macrocell. By means of the structure of heterogeneousnetwork deployment, the network traffic volume is large; for example,the traffic is heavy, and, when a macrocell is under heavy network load,a network service can be distributed by switching a terminal to acorresponding small cell, thereby increasing the network capacity.

During heterogeneous network deployment, according to different demandsof carriers, a macrocell and a small cell can be set to differentfrequencies, and the small cell is an inter-frequency cell for themacrocell. In such an inter-frequency deployment, a network side deviceof the macrocell, when needing to switch a terminal to aninter-frequency cell at a band, needs to trigger the terminal to performinter-frequency cell measurement, and the terminal, when determiningthat a signal of the inter-frequency cell meets a specific measurementevent, reports the inter-frequency cell to the network side device,making it easy for the network side device to perform cell handover.

When a terminal performs inter-frequency cell measurement, neither datanor signaling is transmitted between the terminal and a network sidedevice, and a measurement process usually takes a long time. Therefore,to prevent influences on normal communications services, the terminalusually performs inter-frequency cell measurement in a discontinuousmeasurement manner, that is, a gap mode measurement manner, in which acell signal is measured only within a measurement gap period and normalcommunications can be performed outside the gap period. Both the networkside device and the terminal need to work based on the gap mode toensure time synchronization.

In an existing method for inter-frequency cell measurement, a networkside device determines relevant measurement time parameters of a gapmode, including a gap duration, a gap repetition cycle, a minimumavailable measurement time, and the like. The relevant measurement timeparameters of the measurement gap mode are usually fixed numericalvalues. For example, the gap duration is 6 ms, the gap repetition cycleis 40 ms, and it is specified that the minimum available measurementtime within a certain time is not lower than 60 ms, and the like. Next,the network side device requests that the terminal performs measurementfor an inter-frequency cell at a band and sends the relevant measurementtime parameters of the gap mode to the terminal. The terminal is thencapable of performing, based on the time specifications of the relevantmeasurement time parameters of the gap mode, measurement on the cellonly within the measurement gap period, so as to monitor whether asignal of the inter-frequency cell meets a measurement event, andreports the inter-frequency cell that meets the measurement event to thenetwork side device.

However, it is a continuous process for a terminal to performinter-frequency cell measurement, and the process stops when ameasurement termination instruction from the network side device isreceived. During the implementation of the present invention, theinventor finds that the prior art at least has the following problem: inheterogeneous network deployment, because of the deployment positionrelationship of inter-frequency cells and the relationship of differentbands where the cells are located, if measurement is performed based ongeneral gap mode measurement time parameters, any inter-frequency cellthat meets a measurement event might fail to be measured, and a terminalmight perform measurement continuously without receiving a measurementtermination instruction, which causes a waste of measurement time andaccordingly increases the power consumption of the terminal.

SUMMARY

In view of this, the present invention provides a method, a device, anda system for inter-frequency cell measurement, which solve the technicalproblem of a waste in the power consumption of a terminal for performinginter-frequency cell measurement.

To achieve the preceding objective, the present invention provides thefollowing

TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

receiving, by a terminal, a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device;

detecting whether a candidate cell is present within a certain range ofa current position;

if yes, performing, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; and

if no, performing, based on preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, where the first measurement timeparameters include a first gap duration, a first gap repetition cycle,and a first minimum available measurement time, the second measurementtime parameters include a second gap duration, a second gap repetitioncycle, and a second minimum available measurement time, and the firstgap duration is longer than the second gap duration, and/or the firstgap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle,and/or the first minimum available measurement time is longer than thesecond minimum available measurement time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

detecting whether the signal quality or strength of a serving cell islower than a second preset value, where the second preset value iscarried in a measurement command or prestored in a terminal;

if yes, performing, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; and

if no, performing, based on preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, where the first measurement timeparameters include a first gap duration, a first gap repetition cycle,and a first minimum available measurement time, the second measurementtime parameters include a second gap duration, a second gap repetitioncycle, and a second minimum available measurement time, and the firstgap duration is longer than the second gap duration, and/or the firstgap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle,and/or the first minimum available measurement time is longer than thesecond minimum available measurement time.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

receiving a measurement command carrying information about aninter-frequency band sent by a network side device;

performing, within a first period, based on preset third measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; and

performing, within a second period, based on preset fourth measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement or suspendinginter-frequency cell measurement, where the first period and the secondperiod alternately form a continuous time, and the third measurementtime parameters are different from the fourth measurement timeparameters.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

receiving, by a terminal, a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device;

searching for, according to a presaved mapping between measurement timeparameters and information about an inter-frequency band, targetmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about theinter-frequency band; and

performing, based on the target measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

sending, by a network side device, to a terminal a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band;

detecting, by the terminal, after receiving the measurement command,whether a candidate cell is present within a certain range of a currentposition;

if yes, performing, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; and

if no, performing, based on preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, where the first measurement timeparameters include a first gap duration, a first gap repetition cycle,and a first minimum available measurement time, the second measurementtime parameters include a second gap duration, a second gap repetitioncycle, and a second minimum available measurement time, and the firstgap duration is longer than the second gap duration, and/or the firstgap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle,and/or the first minimum available measurement time is longer than thesecond minimum available measurement time.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

sending, by a network side device, to a terminal a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band;

detecting, by the terminal, after receiving the measurement command,whether the signal quality or strength of a serving cell is lower than asecond preset value, where the second preset value is carried in themeasurement command or prestored in the terminal;

if yes, performing, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; and

if no, performing, based on preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, where the first measurement timeparameters include a first gap duration, a first gap repetition cycle,and a first minimum available measurement time, the second measurementtime parameters include a second gap duration, a second gap repetitioncycle, and a second minimum available measurement time, and the firstgap duration is longer than the second gap duration, and/or the firstgap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle,and/or the first minimum available measurement time is longer than thesecond minimum available measurement time.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

sending, by a network side device, to a terminal a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band;

performing, by the terminal, after receiving the measurement command,within a first period, based on preset third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; and

performing, within a second period, based on preset fourth measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement or suspendinginter-frequency cell measurement, where the first period and the secondperiod alternately form a continuous time, and the third measurementtime parameters are different from the fourth measurement timeparameters.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

sending, by a network side device, to a terminal a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band;

searching for, by the terminal, after receiving the measurement command,according to a presaved mapping between measurement time parameters andinformation about an inter-frequency band, target measurement timeparameters corresponding to the information about the inter-frequencyband; and

performing, by the terminal, based on the target measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

searching for, by a network side device, according to a presaved mappingbetween measurement time parameters and information about aninter-frequency band, target measurement time parameters correspondingto information about an inter-frequency band;

sending, by the network side device, to a terminal a measurement commandcarrying the information about the inter-frequency band and thecorresponding target measurement time parameters thereof; and

performing, by the terminal, after receiving the measurement command,based on the target measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

receiving, by a terminal, a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band and corresponding target measurement timeparameters thereof sent by a network side device, where the measurementcommand is sent after the network side device finds the targetmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about theinter-frequency band according to a presaved mapping between measurementtime parameters and information about an inter-frequency band; and

performing, based on the target measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a device forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device;

a first detection module, configured to detect whether a candidate cellis present within a certain range of a current position;

a first measurement module, configured to perform, when the detectionresult of the detection module is yes, based on preset first measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; and

a second measurement module, configured to perform, when the detectionresult of the detection module is no, based on preset second measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, where the firstmeasurement time parameters include a first gap duration, a first gaprepetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurement time, thesecond measurement time parameters include a second gap duration, asecond gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum available measurementtime, and the first gap duration is longer than the second gap duration,and/or the second gap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gaprepetition cycle, and/or the first minimum available measurement time islonger than the second minimum available measurement time.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a device forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device;

a second detection module, configured to detect whether the signalquality or strength of a serving cell is lower than a second presetvalue, where the second preset value is carried in the measurementcommand or prestored;

a first measurement module, configured to perform, when the detectionresult of the second detection module is yes, based on preset firstmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; and

a second measurement module, configured to perform, when the detectionresult of the second detection module is no, based on preset secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, where thefirst measurement time parameters include a first gap duration, a firstgap repetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurement time,the second measurement time parameters include a second gap duration, asecond gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum available measurementtime, and the first gap duration is longer than the second gap duration,and/or the first gap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gaprepetition cycle, and/or the first minimum available measurement time islonger than the second minimum available measurement time.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a device forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device;

a third measurement module, configured to perform, within a firstperiod, based on preset third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; and

a fourth measurement module, configured to perform, within a secondperiod, based on preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, or suspend inter-frequency cellmeasurement, where the first period and the second period alternatelyform a continuous time, and the third measurement time parameters aredifferent from the fourth measurement time parameters.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a device forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device;

a search module, configured to search for, according to a presavedmapping between measurement time parameters and information about aninter-frequency band, target measurement time parameters correspondingto the information about the inter-frequency band; and

a cell measurement module, configured to perforin, based on the targetmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a device forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band and corresponding targetmeasurement time parameters thereof sent by a network side device, wherethe measurement command is sent after the network side device finds thetarget measurement time parameters corresponding to the informationabout the inter-frequency band according to a presaved mapping betweenmeasurement time parameters and information about an inter-frequencyband; and

a cell measurement module, configured to perform, based on the targetmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a system forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a network side device, configured to send to a terminal a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band; and

a terminal, configured to detect, after receiving the measurementcommand, whether a candidate cell is present within a certain range of acurrent position; if yes, perform, based on preset first measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; if no, perform, basedon preset second measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement, where the first measurement time parameters include a firstgap duration, a first gap repetition cycle, and a first minimumavailable measurement time, the second measurement time parametersinclude a second gap duration, a second gap repetition cycle, and asecond minimum available measurement time, and the first gap duration islonger than the second gap duration, and/or the first gap repetitioncycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle, and/or the firstminimum available measurement time is longer than the second minimumavailable measurement time.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a system forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a network side device, configured to send to a terminal a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band; and

a terminal, configured to detect, after receiving the measurementcommand, whether the signal quality or strength of a serving cell islower than a second preset value, where the second preset value iscarried in the measurement command or prestored in the terminal; if yes,perform, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; if no, perform, based on preset secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, where thefirst measurement time parameters include a first gap duration, a firstgap repetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurement time,the second measurement time parameters include a second gap duration, asecond gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum available measurementtime, and the first gap duration is longer than the second gap duration,and/or the first gap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gaprepetition cycle, and/or the first minimum available measurement time islonger than the second minimum available measurement time.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a system forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a network side device, configured to send to a terminal a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band; and

a terminal, configured to perform, after receiving the measurementcommand, within a first period, based on preset third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; perform, within a secondperiod, based on preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement or suspend inter-frequency cellmeasurement, where the first period and the second period alternatelyform a continuous time, and the third measurement time parameters aredifferent from the fourth measurement time parameters.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a system forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a network side device, configured to send to a terminal a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band; and

a terminal, configured to search for, after receiving the measurementcommand, according to a presaved mapping between measurement timeparameters and information about an inter-frequency band, targetmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about theinter-frequency band; where the terminal performs, based on the targetmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a system forinter-frequency cell measurement is provided, including:

a network side device, configured to search for, according to a presavedmapping between measurement time parameters and information about aninter-frequency band, target measurement time parameters correspondingto information about an inter-frequency band; and send to a terminal ameasurement command carrying the information about the inter-frequencyband and the corresponding target measurement time parameters thereof;and

a terminal, configured to perform, after receiving the measurementcommand, based on the target measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

As can be seen from the aforementioned technical solutions, comparedwith the prior art, the present invention provides a method, a device,and a system for inter-frequency cell measurement, in which a networkside device sends to a terminal a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band, and the terminal performs,when receiving the measurement command of the network side device,inter-frequency cell measurement, in different cases, based on the timespecified in different measurement time parameters or based onmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about theinter-frequency band. As different measurement time parameters specifydifferent time used for measurement, not only an inter-frequency cellthat meets a measurement event can be measured, but also the time formeasurement by the terminal can be reduced, thereby reducing the powerconsumption of the terminal and enhancing the performance of theterminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To illustrate the technical solutions according to the embodiments ofthe present invention or in the prior art more clearly, the followingbriefly introduces accompanying drawings required for describing theembodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings inthe following descriptions merely show some of the embodiments of thepresent invention, and persons of ordinary skill in the art can obtainother drawings according to the accompanying drawings without creativeefforts.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 9 of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 10 of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 11 of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention; and

FIG. 20 is a schematic structural view of a system for inter-frequencycell measurement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearlydescribed in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.It is obvious that the embodiments to be described are only a partrather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All otherembodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based onthe embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shallfall within the protection scope of the present invention.

One of the main ideas of the present invention may include that: Anetwork side device sends to a terminal a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band, and the terminal may perform,when receiving the measurement command of the network side device,inter-frequency cell measurement, according to different applicationcases, based on different measurement time parameters or based onmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about aninter-frequency band. Therefore, not only an inter-frequency cell whosesignal meets a measurement event can be measured, but also theelectrical consumption for measurement of a terminal can be reduced,thereby enhancing the performance of the terminal.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 101. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

In this embodiment, a serving cell of a terminal may refer to amacrocell; small cells scattered within the coverage of the macrocellare inter-frequency cells having different carrier frequencies from thatof the macrocell; and the network side device may refer to equipmentthat is capable of performing data and signaling transmission with aterminal, such as a base station, a relay station, a base stationcontroller, and a wireless local area network access point, and controlsa serving cell of the terminal.

Of course, a serving cell of a terminal in the present invention mayrefer to a small cell, the coverage of the small cell includes amicrocell, that is, an inter-frequency cell whose carrier frequency isdifferent from that of the small cell.

When a network side device monitors that the network traffic volume of aserving cell is large, or when the effect of an inter-frequency cell inincreasing system capacity is to be enhanced, in order to select asuitable inter-frequency cell to distribute a network service, thenetwork side device commands the terminal to perform inter-frequencycell measurement and sends a measurement command to the terminal.

The measurement command includes information about an inter-frequencyband, for example, the frequency of a cell to be measured, so that theterminal is capable of easily determining, according to the informationabout the inter-frequency band, an inter-frequency cell that is locatedat the band and performing measurement.

Step 102. Detect whether a candidate cell is present within a certainrange of a current position. If yes, the process turns to step 103; andif no, the process turns to step 104.

The current position refers to the current position of the terminal inthe serving cell, the candidate cell may include an inter-frequency cellin a band that requires to be measured currently and is a candidate celldistinguished from the serving cell of the terminal.

Various manners may be adopted to detect whether a candidate cell ispresent within a certain range of a current position. For example, itmay be determined whether a candidate cell is present by a satellitepositioning system acquiring whether a network element device is presentin a certain range of the position of the terminal, or may be determinedwhether a candidate cell is present within a certain range of theterminal according to the quality or strength of the received signal.The specific implementation manners are introduced in detail in thefollowing embodiments.

Step 103. Perform, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

The measurement time parameters refer to relevant measurement timeparameters of a gap mode, and a gap refers to a period that can beactually used for measurement when the terminal performs inter-frequencycell signal measurement.

The measurement time parameters may include a gap duration, that is, anavailable time in each time of measurement; a gap repetition cycle, thatis, an interval time between gaps; and a minimum available measurementtime, in which the sum of time for actual measurement within a certaintime range should not be smaller than the minimum available measurementtime, so as to limit the actual time that the terminal performsmeasurement within the certain time, so that the inter-frequency cellmeasurement is capable of meeting a certain demand. For example, the gapduration is 6 ms (milliseconds), the gap repetition cycle is 80 ms, andthe minimum available time within 480 ms is 30 ms; that is to say, theterminal may perform signal measurement once every 80 ms, each time ofmeasurement takes 6 ms, and the minimum available time specifies thatthe terminal at least performs measurement (30 ms/6 ms)=5 times withinevery 480 ms.

The terminal needs to perform inter-frequency cell measurement strictlybased on the measurement time parameters, and at the same time thenetwork side device also needs to work strictly based on the measurementtime parameters, so as to guarantee that during the measurement in thegap, the terminal and the network side device do not exchange data andsignaling.

As an inter-frequency cell requires to be measured, the terminal firstneeds to determine an inter-frequency cell. Specifically, the terminaladjusts the receiving frequency thereof to the inter-frequency band andthen performs a search to find a cell at the inter-frequency band. Next,the terminal performs inter-frequency cell signal measurementrespectively, and reports, when measuring that the signal of aninter-frequency cell meets a specific measurement event, the cellidentifier of the inter-frequency cell to the network side device, inwhich the measurement event may specifically refer to a condition to bemet by a signal of a cell that can be reported to the network sidedevice. For example, the measurement event may refer to that the signalquality or strength is greater than a threshold value and keeps so for acertain time. According to different network demands, the measurementevent may also be different. The specific measurement process is thesame as that in the prior art, so no further details are provided here.

As for inter-frequency cell signal measurement based on the firstmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement isperformed based on the first gap duration, the first gap repetitioncycle, and the specification of the first minimum available measurementtime.

Alternatively, when the terminal performs, based on the firstmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, theterminal first needs to perform a search to determine whichinter-frequency cells are present, and the search takes a certain time.Therefore, the terminal may monitor, when performing the cell search,whether a search time exceeds a preset time, and may switch, if theterminal fails to find any cell on the inter-frequency band within apreset time, the currently adopted measurement time parameters, andcontinue the measurement based on the time specifications of othermeasurement time parameters, for example, may perform the operation instep 104, so as to reduce the power consumption of the terminal.

Step 104. Perform, based on preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

According to the instructions of the aforementioned measurement timeparameters, when a gap duration is longer, or a gap repetition cycle isshorter, or a minimum available time is longer, the timer is longer forthe terminal to perform inter-frequency cell measurement within acertain time range, and therefore the probability that the terminaldetermines a cell that meets a measurement event within a certain periodis increased; however, the electrical consumption for measurement of aterminal may be increased at the same time. Oppositely, the time for theterminal to perform inter-frequency cell measurement is shorter within acertain time range, and the probability that terminal determines a cellthat meets a measurement event is correspondingly reduced; however, theelectrical consumption for measurement of a terminal may be reduced.

In this embodiment, the first gap duration in the first measurement timeparameters is longer than the second gap duration in the secondmeasurement time parameters, and/or the first gap repetition cycle isshorter than the second gap repetition cycle, and/or the first minimumavailable measurement time is longer than the second minimum availablemeasurement time. That is to say, compared with the inter-frequency cellsignal measurement based on the second measurement time parameters, theinter-frequency cell signal measurement based on the first measurementtime parameters provides a longer actual time for inter-frequency cellmeasurement within a certain period, so that an inter-frequency cellthat satisfies a measurement requirement can be selected more quickly.

When it is determined that a candidate cell is present within a certainrange of the position of the terminal, it indicates that a cell at aninter-frequency band might be present in the periphery of the positionof the terminal, so that the terminal starts, based on the timespecifications of the first measurement time parameters, the process ofinter-frequency cell signal measurement, so as to determine aninter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event more quickly.

If it is determined that a candidate cell is not present within acertain range of the position of the terminal, in indicates that a cellat an inter-frequency band might be not present in the periphery of theposition of the terminal, so that the terminal may start, based on thetime specifications of the second measurement time parameters, theprocess of inter-frequency cell signal measurement, so as to reduce theelectrical consumption for measurement of a terminal.

As the measurement time parameters specify a gap duration, a gaprepetition cycle, and the like of measurement, within one measurementgap, due to the time limits, the terminal might be unable to completeall measurement operations including searching for all inter-frequencycells and measuring an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurementevent, so that the terminal saves, when the measurement gap period ends,the current measurement relevant information, so as to continuemeasurement in a next measurement gap according to the measurementrelevant information of the last time. Within each measurement gapperiod, the terminal needs to adjust a receiving frequency into theinter-frequency band and then adjusts, when the measurement gap periodends, the receiving frequency back to the carrier frequency of theserving cell.

In another embodiment, as discussed in step 103, the terminal needs toperform, during inter-frequency cell measurement based on firstmeasurement time parameters, a cell search, and if a search time exceedsa preset time, it indicates that an inter-frequency cell is actually notpresent within a certain range of the terminal, and the terminal maycontinue to perform, based on the second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, so as to reduce the electricalconsumption for measurement.

The first measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters may be carried in the measurement command. That is, thenetwork side device sends configured first measurement time parametersand/or second measurement time parameters to the terminal to request theterminal to perform measurement on a cell at an inter-frequency band.

Alternatively, the terminal needs to feed back, when performinginter-frequency cell measurement based on measurement time parameters,to the network side device identifiers of measurement time parameters tobe adopted and/or an application moment of the measurement timeparameters. The identifiers of measurement time parameters are used fordistinguishing different measurement time parameters, and are carried inthe measurement time parameters. The network side device controls, afterreceiving the identifiers of the measurement time parameters and/or theapplication moment of the measurement time parameters to be adopted bythe terminal, at the application moment of the measurement timeparameters, based on the time specified in the corresponding measurementtime parameters, sending of data and signaling.

Specifically, the network side device may determine, according to theapplication moment of the measurement time parameters fed back by theterminal, that is, a specific moment that the terminal performsmeasurement based on measurement time parameters or a specific moment ofswitching when measurement time parameters need to be switched, when tocontrol the sending of data and signaling based on the time specified bythe measurement time parameters.

Furthermore, the network side device determines, after receiving theidentifiers of measurement time parameters, based on information aboutan appointment with the terminal, the application moment of themeasurement time parameters corresponding to the identifiers ofmeasurement time parameters.

The first measurement time parameters and/or the second measurement timeparameters may be further saved in the network side device and theterminal, so that the terminal may measure, after receiving ameasurement command, based on the first measurement time parametersand/or the second measurement time parameters, a cell at aninter-frequency band.

Alternatively, the terminal feeds back, when performing measurementbased on measurement time parameters, to the network side deviceidentifiers of the measurement time parameters to be adopted and/or anapplication moment of the measurement time parameters.

Of course, the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters may be further configured and saved by theterminal, so that the terminal performs, after receiving a measurementcommand, based on the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement. Duringthe inter-frequency cell measurement, current measurement informationfurther needs to be fed back to the network side device. The measurementinformation may include the currently adopted measurement timeparameters, that is, the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters, and may further include an applicationmoment of the measurement time parameters. Therefore, the network sidedevice may control, according to the current measurement timeparameters, the operations of data and signaling transmission with theterminal.

When the first measurement time parameters and/or the second measurementtime parameters are prestored in the terminal, the terminal firstdetermines, after receiving the measurement command, whether ameasurement identifier is carried in the measurement command. If yes,the terminal then performs the operations in step 102 to step 104; andif no, it performs measurement based on a conventional manner.

In this embodiment, a terminal first determines, after receiving ameasurement command from a network side device, whether a candidate cellis present in the periphery of the position thereof, when present,performs, based on first measurement time parameters, inter-frequencycell signal measurement, so as to determine more quickly aninter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event; when a candidatecell is not present in the periphery of the terminal, performs, based onsecond measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement, so as to reduce the measurement time, and lower the powerconsumption of the terminal. As it is determined that a candidate cellis not present in the periphery of the position of the terminal, itindicates that the terminal is away from all inter-frequency cells by along distance, so that the signal measurement is performed based onsecond measurement time parameters that are more power saving, so as tolower the power consumption for measurement of a terminal, therebyenhancing the performance of the terminal.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 201. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

This step is similar with that in Embodiment 1, so no further detailsare provided here.

Step 202. Adjust a receiving frequency into the inter-frequency band,and monitor the signal quality or strength of a common channel of theinter-frequency band.

After receiving a measurement command, the terminal may prepare to entera discontinuous measurement stage. Before performing measurement basedon the period specified in measurement time parameters, the terminal mayfirst adjust the receiving frequency thereof into the inter-frequencyband to monitor the signal quality or strength of the common channel ofthe inter-frequency band. The common channel refers to a downlink commonsignal transmission channel of all inter-frequency cells at theinter-frequency band, such as, a PSCH (Primary Synchronization Channel,primary synchronization channel) and/or an SSCH (SecondarySynchronization Channel, secondary synchronization channel). That is tosay, a terminal may measure the signal strength or quality of one commonchannel, and may also measure the signal strength or quality of aplurality of common signals.

The terminal scans, after the adjustment to the inter-frequency band, acommon channel; that is, it monitors a signal of a common channel.

Step 203. Determine whether the signal quality or strength of the commonchannel of the inter-frequency band is higher than a first preset value.If yes, the process turns to step 204; and if no, the process turns tostep 205.

The first preset value may be carried in the measurement command, or ofcourse may also be preset and stored in the terminal.

In this embodiment, it is determined, according to whether the signalquality or strength of a common channel of an inter-frequency band ishigher than a first preset value, whether a candidate cell is presentwithin a certain range of a current position of a terminal. When thesignal quality or strength of the common channel is greater than thefirst preset value, it indicates that the signal transmitted on thecommon channel is stronger, and it may therefore be determined that acandidate cell is present within the certain range of the terminal. Whenthe signal quality or strength of the common channel is lower than orequal to the first preset value, it indicates that the signaltransmitted on the common channel is weaker, and it may therefore bedetermined that a candidate cell is not present within the certain rangeof the terminal.

The first preset value is set according to an actual situation; forexample, it is set according to the signal quality or strength of thecommon channel when a preset number of cells are present within thecertain range of the terminal.

In this embodiment, as it is determined whether a candidate cell ispresent within a certain range of a terminal through the monitoredsignal quality or strength of a common channel of an inter-frequencyband, the candidate cell is an inter-frequency cell located at theinter-frequency band.

Step 204. Perform a search to determine an inter-frequency cell locatedat the inter-frequency band, and perform, based on the timespecifications of preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

After the receiving frequency is adjusted into the inter-frequency band,a search needs to be performed to determine an inter-frequency celllocated at the inter-frequency band. The inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement on the preset first measurement time parameters is theinter-frequency cell signal measurement on the time specifications of ameasurement gap duration, a gap repetition cycle, and a minimumavailable measurement time.

Step 205. Perform a search to determine an inter-frequency cell locatedat the inter-frequency band, and perform, based on the timespecifications of preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

The first gap duration in the first measurement time parameters islonger than the second gap duration in the second measurement timeparameters, and/or the first gap repetition cycle is shorter than thesecond gap repetition cycle, and/or the first minimum availablemeasurement time is longer than the second minimum available measurementtime. That is to say, compared with the inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement on the second measurement time parameters, theinter-frequency cell signal measurement on the first measurement timeparameters provides a longer time for inter-frequency cell measurement,so that an inter-frequency cell that satisfies a measurement requirementcan be selected more quickly.

The first measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters may be carried in the measurement command. That is, thenetwork side device sends configured first measurement time parametersand/or second measurement time parameters to the terminal to request theterminal to perform measurement on a cell at an inter-frequency band.

Alternatively, the terminal needs to feed back, when performinginter-frequency cell measurement based on measurement time parameters,to the network side device identifiers of measurement time parameters tobe adopted and/or an application moment of the measurement timeparameters. The identifiers of measurement time parameters are used fordistinguishing different measurement time parameters, and are carried inthe measurement time parameters. The network side device may control,after receiving the identifiers of the measurement time parametersand/or the application moment of the measurement time parameters, at theapplication moment of the measurement time parameters, based on the timespecified in the corresponding measurement time parameters, sending ofdata and signaling.

Specifically, the network side device may determine, according to theapplication moment of the measurement time parameters fed back by theterminal, that is, a specific moment that the terminal performsmeasurement based on measurement time parameters or a specific moment ofswitching when measurement time parameters need to be switched, when tocontrol the sending of data and signaling based on the time specified bythe measurement time parameters.

Furthermore, the network side device determines, after receiving theidentifiers of measurement time parameters, based on information aboutan appointment with the terminal, the application moment of themeasurement time parameters corresponding to the identifiers ofmeasurement time parameters.

The first measurement time parameters and/or the second measurement timeparameters may be further saved in the network side device and theterminal, so that the terminal may measure, after receiving ameasurement command, based on the first measurement time parametersand/or the second measurement time parameters, a cell at aninter-frequency band.

The first measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters may be further configured and saved by the terminal, so thatthe terminal performs, after receiving a measurement command, based onthe first measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement. During the inter-frequencycell measurement, current measurement information further needs to befed back to the network side device. The measurement information mayinclude the currently adopted measurement time parameters, that is, thefirst measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters, and may further include an application moment of themeasurement time parameters. Therefore, the network side device maycontrol, according to the current measurement time parameters, theoperations of data and signaling transmission with the terminal.

When the first measurement time parameters and/or the second measurementtime parameters are stored by the terminal, the terminal firstdetermines, after receiving the measurement command, whether ameasurement identifier is carried in the measurement command. If yes,the terminal then performs the operations in step 202 to step 205; andif no, it performs, based on a conventional manner, inter-frequency cellmeasurement, and performs inter-frequency cell measurement by usinggeneral measurement time parameters.

The operations in step 204 and step 205 are operations triggeredaccording to the determination result in step 203, in which differentmeasurement time parameters are adopted. Therefore, by performing theoperation in step 204, the actual measurement time may be increased, sothat when it is determined that a candidate cell is present within acertain range of the position of the terminal, an inter-frequency cellthat meets a measurement event can be determined more quickly. Byperforming the operation in step 205, the actual measurement time isreduced, so that when a candidate cell is not present within the certainrange of the terminal, it may be regarded that the terminal currentlymight fail to measure any inter-frequency cell that meets a measurementevent. Therefore, by performing the operation in step 205, theelectrical consumption of the terminal may be reduced, thereby loweringthe power consumption of the terminal.

In this embodiment, a terminal measures whether the signal quality orstrength of a common channel of an inter-frequency band is higher than afirst preset value to determine whether a cell is present within acertain range of the terminal, if yes, performs, based on the timespecified in the first measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellsignal measurement, and if no, performs, based on the time specified inthe second measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement, so as to measure and determine an inter-frequency cell thatmeets a measurement event more quickly, and at the same time reduce thetime for measurement by the terminal, thereby reducing the powerconsumption of the terminal and enhancing the performance of theterminal.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in whichthe method may include:

Step 301. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

Step 302. Perform, after a receiving frequency is adjusted into theinter-frequency band, a search to determine an inter-frequency celllocated at the inter-frequency band.

The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 2 lies in that,the terminal may first perform, after the receiving frequency isadjusted into the inter-frequency band, a search to first determine aninter-frequency cell located at the inter-frequency band. Referenceshould be made between the embodiments for other points.

Step 303. Monitor the signal quality or strength of a common channel ofthe inter-frequency band.

Step 304. Determine whether the signal quality or strength of the commonchannel of the inter-frequency band is higher than a first preset value.If yes, the process turns to step 305; and if no, the process turns tostep 306.

Step 305. Perform, based on time specifications of preset firstmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

Step 306. Perform, based on time specifications of preset secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

In this embodiment, a terminal monitors whether the signal quality orstrength of a common channel of an inter-frequency band is higher than afirst preset value to determine whether a cell is present within acertain range of the terminal, if yes, performs, based on the timespecified in the first measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement, and if no, performs, based on the time specified in thesecond measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement, so as to guarantee that an inter-frequency cell that meetsa measurement event can be measured and determined and at the same timethe time for measurement by the terminal is reduced, thereby reducingthe power consumption of the terminal and enhancing the performance ofthe terminal.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency measurementaccording to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 401. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

Step 402. Determine whether a candidate cell is present at a certaindistance away from a current position through a satellite positioningsystem. If yes, the process turns to step 403; and if no, the processturns to step 405.

In this step, it is determined whether a candidate cell is presentwithin a certain distance away from the current position of the terminalthrough a satellite positioning system; that is, it is determinedwhether a candidate cell is present in the periphery of the terminalthrough a satellite positioning system.

As for that it is determined whether a candidate cell is present at acertain distance away from a current position through a satellitepositioning system, specifically, the terminal acquires the positioninformation of a network element within a certain range of the terminalthrough a satellite positioning system, determines whether other networkelements are present in the periphery of the terminal, and if present,determines that a candidate cell is present in the periphery of theterminal.

Step 403. Perform, after a receiving frequency is adjusted into theinter-frequency band, a search to determine an inter-frequency celllocated at the inter-frequency band, and the process turns to step 404.

Step 404. Perform, based on time specifications of preset firstmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

Step 405. Perform, after a receiving frequency is adjusted into theinter-frequency band, a search to determine an inter-frequency celllocated at the inter-frequency band, and the process turns to step 406.

Step 406. Perform, based on time specifications of preset secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether a cell is present within acertain range of the terminal through a satellite positioning system, ifyes, after an inter-frequency cell is determined, inter-frequency cellsignal measurement is performed based on the time specified in firstmeasurement time parameters, and if no, after an inter-frequency cell isdetermined, inter-frequency cell signal measurement is performed basedon the time specified in second measurement time parameters, so as toguarantee that an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement eventcan be measured and determined and at the same time the time formeasurement by the terminal is reduced, thereby reducing the powerconsumption of the terminal and enhancing the performance of theterminal.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 501. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

Step 502. Detect whether the signal quality or strength of a servingcell of the terminal is lower than a second preset value. If yes, theprocess turns to step 503; and if no, the process turns to step 504.

The serving cell of the terminal may refer to, for example, a macrocellwhere the terminal is currently located, and the terminal may listen tothe signal of the serving cell where the terminal is located and detectthe signal quality or strength of the serving cell.

The second preset value may be carried in the measurement command, andmay also be prestored in the terminal.

When the signal quality or strength of the serving cell of the terminalis lower than the second preset value, it indicates that the terminalneeds to be switched to other cells as soon as possible to guaranteenormal communications of the terminal. In this case, the terminal may betoo far away from the serving cell to desirably receive the signal ofthe serving cell, so that the inter-frequency cell measurement needs tobe performed as soon as possible, so as to determine an inter-frequencycell that meets a measurement event.

When the signal quality or strength of the serving cell of the terminalis greater than or equal to the second preset value, it indicates thatthe serving cell of the terminal may further continue to serve theterminal, and the terminal may receive the signal of the serving cellnormally, so that the terminal does not have to be switched to aninter-frequency cell as soon as possible.

Of course, in another possible case, in heterogeneous networkdeployment, by taking an example in which a small cell is set in amacrocell, the small cell might be at the edge of the coverage of themacrocell. When a terminal monitors that the signal quality or strengthof a serving cell is lower than a second preset value, it is regardedthat the terminal is at the edge of the serving cell, and therefore thedistance from the small cell is shorter, and it may be determined that asmall cell is present in the periphery of the terminal. When the signalquality or strength of the serving cell of the terminal is greater thanor equal to the second preset value, it may be regarded that aninter-frequency cell is not present in the periphery of the terminal,and the distance from the small cell is larger.

The second preset value may be specifically set according to actualapplication cases, for example, may be set according to the signal valuereceived by a terminal when the terminal is located at a serving cellthereof and is capable of normally performing communications.

Step 503. Perform, based on time specifications of preset firstmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

Specifically, after a receiving frequency is adjusted into theinter-frequency band, a search is performed to determine aninter-frequency cell located at the inter-frequency band, and next,based on time specifications of the preset first measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement is performed.

When it is determined that the signal quality or strength of a servingcell is lower than a second preset value, during a measurement gapperiod, an operation of determining an inter-frequency cell isperformed, and inter-frequency cell signal measurement is performedbased on time specifications of the second measurement time parameters.

Step 504. Perform, based on time specifications of preset secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

Specifically, after a receiving frequency is adjusted into theinter-frequency band, a search is performed to determine aninter-frequency cell located at the inter-frequency band, and next,based on time specifications of the preset second measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement is performed.

The operation in step 503 and the operation in step 504 are differentsteps triggered according to the determination result in step 502, inwhich different measurement time parameters are adopted. Therefore, byperforming step 503, the actual measurement time may be increased, sothat an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event can bedetermined more quickly. By performing the operation in step 504, theactual measurement time is reduced, so that when the serving cell mayfurther continue to serve the terminal, inter-frequency cell measurementmay be performed based on the second measurement time parameters.Therefore, the electrical consumption of the terminal may be reduced,thereby lowering the power consumption of the terminal.

The first measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters may be carried in the measurement command. That is, thenetwork side device sends configured first measurement time parametersand/or second measurement time parameters to the terminal to request theterminal to perform measurement on a cell at an inter-frequency band.

Alternatively, the terminal needs to feed back, when performinginter-frequency cell measurement based on measurement time parameters,to the network side device identifiers of measurement time parameters tobe adopted and/or an application moment of the measurement timeparameters, which are carried in the measurement time parameters. Theidentifiers of measurement time parameters are used for distinguishingdifferent measurement time parameters. The network side device maycontrol, after receiving the identifiers of the measurement timeparameters and/or the application moment of the measurement timeparameters, at the application moment of the measurement timeparameters, based on the time specified in the corresponding measurementtime parameters, the sending of data and signaling.

Specifically, the network side device may determine, according to theapplication moment of the measurement time parameters fed back by theterminal, that is, a specific moment that the terminal performsmeasurement based on measurement time parameters or a specific moment ofswitching when measurement time parameters need to be switched, when tocontrol the sending of data and signaling based on the time specified bythe measurement time parameters.

Furthermore, the network side device determines, after receiving theidentifiers of measurement time parameters, based on information aboutan appointment with the terminal, the application moment of themeasurement time parameters corresponding to the identifiers ofmeasurement time parameters.

The first measurement time parameters and/or the second measurement timeparameters may be further saved in the network side device and theterminal, so that the terminal may measure, after receiving ameasurement command, based on the first measurement time parametersand/or the second measurement time parameters, a cell at aninter-frequency band.

Alternatively, the terminal feeds back, when performing measurementbased on the measurement time parameters, to the network side device theidentifiers of measurement time parameters to be adopted, and mayfurther feed back an application moment of the measurement timeparameters.

Of course, the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters may be further configured and saved by theterminal, so that the terminal performs, after receiving a measurementcommand, based on the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement. Duringthe inter-frequency cell measurement, current measurement informationfurther needs to be fed back to the network side device. The measurementinformation may include the currently adopted measurement timeparameters, that is, the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters, and may further include an applicationmoment of the measurement time parameters. Therefore, the network sidedevice may control, according to the current measurement timeparameters, the operations of data and signaling transmission with theterminal.

When the first measurement time parameters and/or the second measurementtime parameters are prestored in the terminal, the terminal firstdetermines, after receiving the measurement command, whether ameasurement identifier is carried in the measurement command. If yes,the terminal then performs the operations in step 502 to step 504; andif no, it performs measurement based on a conventional manner.

In this embodiment, the terminal monitors whether the signal quality orstrength of a serving cell is lower than a second preset value, if yes,performs, based on the time specified in the first measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement, and if no,performs, based on the time specified in the second measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement, so as to determinean inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event as soon aspossible and at the same time reduce the time for measurement of theterminal, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal andenhancing the performance of the terminal.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, in which the methodincludes:

Step 601. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

For details about this step, reference may be specifically made to step101 in the method embodiment.

Step 602. Perform, within a first period, based on preset thirdmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

Step 603. Perform, within a second period, based on preset fourthmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The specific process of performing inter-frequency cell measurement isthat a terminal first needs to adjust a receiving frequency into theinter-frequency band, performs a search to determine an inter-frequencycell, and next performs, based on the time specifications of themeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement, soas to determine an inter-frequency cell whose signal meets a measurementevent.

The first period and second period may be provided by the network sidedevice. That is, the network side device starts, after sending ameasurement command to the terminal, to count the first period, sends,when the first period ends, first adjustment trigger information to theterminal, and at the same time starts to count a second period, andsends, when the second period ends, second adjustment triggerinformation to the terminal, and at the same time restarts to count thefirst period. Therefore, the terminal specifically performs, afterreceiving the measurement command or second adjustment triggerinformation, based on first measurement time parameters, inter-frequencycell measurement. After receiving the first adjustment triggerinformation, that is, inter-frequency cell measurement is performedbased on second measurement time parameters.

Of course, the first period and second period may be controlled by theterminal, the specific duration of the period may be allocated by theterminal in advance, and may also be carried in the measurement commandof the network side device.

When the first period and second period are controlled by the terminal,the terminal may first determine, after receiving the measurementcommand, whether the measurement command carries a measurementidentifier; if yes, the terminal then performs the operations in steps602 and 603; and if no, it performs measurement based on a conventionalmanner.

In this embodiment, the first period and second period alternately forma continuous time; that is to say, the terminal performs, within a firstperiod, based on time specifications of preset third measurement timeparameters which include a measurement gap duration, a gap repetitioncycle, and the like, inter-frequency cell measurement, enters, when thefirst period ends, a second period and performs, based on preset fourthmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, andenters, when the second period ends, the first period again. That is,the first period and the second period alternately form a continuoustime, through the alternating first period and second period, theterminal is capable of performing, based on the time specified indifferent measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The third measurement time parameters and the fourth measurement timeparameters are different. That is to say, when inter-frequency cellmeasurement is performed based on the time specifications of the thirdmeasurement time parameters and the fourth measurement time parameters,respectively, the electrical consumption for measurement of the terminalis different, causing different power consumption for the terminal.Through the alternating first period and second period, the terminaldoes not always perform measurement based on one type of measurementtime parameters, also the probability that the terminal measures aninter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event is guaranteed, andat the same time the power consumption of the terminal may be lowered.

The third gap duration in the third measurement time parameters may besmaller than the fourth gap duration in the fourth measurement timeparameters, and/or the third gap repetition cycle is greater than thefourth gap repetition cycle, and/or the third minimum availablemeasurement time is smaller than the fourth minimum availablemeasurement time. Alternatively, the third gap duration is greater thanthe fourth gap duration, and/or the third gap repetition cycle issmaller than the fourth gap repetition cycle, and/or the third minimumavailable measurement time is greater than the fourth minimum availablemeasurement time.

The time length of the first period and the second period may bedifferent or may be the same, and may be specifically set according todifferent actual cases. For example, it is assumed that the terminalperforms, based on the time specifications of the third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, compared with theinter-frequency cell measurement based on the time specifications of thefourth measurement time parameters, the electrical consumption can besaved. Therefore, when the first period is longer, the terminal is morepower saving, and when the second period is longer, the probability ishigher that the terminal determines an inter-frequency cell that meets ameasurement event, so that the length of the period may be specificallyset according to different demands.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the objective ofinter-frequency cell measurement is achieved in a manner of setting twoperiods, and of course, a plurality of periods, for example, three, maybe set, and correspondingly a plurality of measurement time parametersis correspondingly set, and technical solutions extended by personsskilled in the art on the basis of the present invention shall also fallwithin the protection scope of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a terminal performs, based on the timespecifications of different measurement time parameters, inter-frequencycell measurement within different periods, and different measurementtime parameters specify different actual measurement time, so that theterminal does not always perform inter-frequency cell measurement basedon one type of measurement time parameters, so as to reduce theelectrical consumption for measurement of the terminal, thereby reducingthe power consumption of the terminal, and at the same time the terminaldoes not always perform inter-frequency cell measurement on based on onetype of measurement time parameters, so as to guarantee the probabilitythat the terminal determines an inter-frequency cell that meets ameasurement within a certain time.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 701. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

Step 702. Perform, within a first period, based on preset thirdmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

Step 703. Suspend, within a second period, inter-frequency cellmeasurement, where the first period and second period alternately form acontinuous time.

The difference between this embodiment and method Embodiment 6 lies inthat, within a second period, a terminal may suspend inter-frequencycell measurement. That is to say, the terminal performs, within a firstperiod, based on the time specifications of preset third measurementtime parameters which include a measurement gap duration, a gaprepetition cycle, and the like, inter-frequency cell measurement, theterminal enters, when the first period ends, a second period, andsuspends inter-frequency cell measurement, and the terminal enters, whenthe second period ends, the first period again to continue to perform,based on the time specifications of the preset third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement. That is, the first periodand the second period alternately form a continuous time, and throughthe alternating first period and second period, the terminal may performno measurement within a period, so as to reduce the electricalconsumption for measurement of the terminal and lower the powerconsumption of the terminal, and guarantee the probability that theterminal determines an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurementwithin a certain time.

The first period and the second period may be specifically set accordingto actual cases, for example, the specific requirements for the terminalor the requirements for the measured inter-frequency cell.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. The method in thisembodiment is a possible implementation process for method Embodiment 6or method Embodiment 7, in which the method may include:

Step 801. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

Step 802. Start a first timer, and perform, based on preset thirdmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

The first timer is configured to provide the first period. Specifically,by setting a duration of the first timer, the first period may be fromwhen the first timer starts to when the first timer stops as theduration ends. The terminal may first perform, after receiving ameasurement command, based on the time specified in preset thirdmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, and atthe same time start the first timer.

Step 803. When the first timer expires, start a second timer, andperform, based on preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, or suspend the measurement.

Step 804. Return, after it is determined that the second timer expires,to step 802.

The second timer provides a second period. Specifically, by setting aduration of the second timer, the second period may be from when thesecond timer starts to when the second timer stops as the duration ends.

The duration parameters set for the first timer and the second timer maybe carried in the measurement command, and may also be preconfigured bythe terminal.

The terminal may first determine, after receiving the measurementcommand, whether a measurement identifier is carried in the measurementcommand, and if yes, perform the operations in step 802 to step 804.

In this embodiment, alternatively, the third gap duration in the thirdmeasurement time parameters is greater than the fourth gap duration inthe fourth measurement time parameters, and/or the third gap repetitioncycle is smaller than the fourth gap repetition cycle, and/or the thirdminimum available measurement time is greater than the fourth minimumavailable measurement time. The terminal may first perform, based on thethird measurement time parameters that enable an inter-frequency cellthat meets a measurement event to be determined more quickly,inter-frequency cell measurement, set the time length that the terminalperforms, based on the third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, and perform, when the first periodends, based on the preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, or suspend the measurement, so as toreduce the electrical consumption of the terminal to a certain degree,and lower the power consumption of the terminal.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 9 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 901. A terminal receives a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

Step 902. Start a first timer and a third timer at the same time, andperform, based on preset third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

Step 903. When the first timer expires, perform, based on preset fourthmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement, orsuspend the measurement.

Step 904. Determine that the third timer expires, and return to step902.

In this embodiment, the first period and the second period are providedby two timers.

The duration of the first timer is smaller than the duration of thethird timer. That is, the first period is from when the first timerstarts to when the first timer stops as the duration ends. The secondperiod is from when the first timer stops to when the third timer stopsas the set duration ends.

The terminal may first determine, after receiving the measurementcommand, whether a measurement identifier is carried in the measurementcommand, and if yes, perform the operations in step 902 to step 904.

In this embodiment, alternatively, the third gap duration in the thirdmeasurement time parameters is greater than the fourth gap duration inthe fourth measurement time parameters, and/or the third gap repetitioncycle is smaller than the fourth gap repetition cycle, and/or the thirdminimum available measurement time is greater than the fourth minimumavailable measurement time. The terminal may first perform, based on thethird measurement time parameters that enable an inter-frequency cellthat meets a measurement event to be determined more quickly,inter-frequency cell measurement, set the time length that the terminalperforms, based on the third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, and perform, when the first periodends, based on the preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, or suspend the measurement, so as toreduce the electrical consumption of the terminal to a certain degreeand lower the power consumption of the terminal.

It should be noted that, in the foregoing method embodiments, referencemay be made between the operations of the same or similar steps, andtherefore the corresponding descriptions in several embodiments arerelatively simple.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 10 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 1001. A terminal receives a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device.

Step 1002. Search for, according to a presaved mapping betweenmeasurement time parameters and information about an inter-frequencyband, target measurement time parameters corresponding to theinformation about the inter-frequency band.

The measurement command sent from the network side may further carry ameasurement identifier, so that the terminal may first determine, afterreceiving the measurement command, whether the measurement commandcarries the measurement identifier, if yes, perform the operation ofstep 1002, and if no, directly perform, based on general measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

As a terminal might perform measurement on cells at a plurality ofdifferent inter-frequency bands, and in this embodiment, each piece ofinformation about an inter-frequency band might correspond to differentmeasurement time parameters. That is to say, in this embodiment, theterminal may perform, based on different measurement time parameters,parallel measurement on cells at different inter-frequency bands.Therefore, the terminal may first send a capability identifier to thenetwork side device, and the network side device may determine, afterreceiving the capability identifier, that the terminal has thecapability of measuring in parallel cells at different inter-frequencybands based on different measurement time parameters, and then send tothe terminal the measurement command carrying the measurementidentifier.

Step 1003. Perform, based on the target measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

In performing the inter-frequency cell measurement, a search isperformed first to determine a cell at an inter-frequency band, and nextinter-frequency cell signal measurement is performed to determinewhether the signal of the inter-frequency cell meets a measurementevent. In practical applications, for inter-frequency cells at differentbands, as the measurement demands are different, the time required tofind inter-frequency cells at some bands or to determine that signals ofsome bands meet a measurement event is short, whereas the time requiredto find inter-frequency cells of some bands or to determine that signalsof some bands meet a measurement event is long. General measurement timeparameters are adopted in the prior art, resulting in that, during theinter-frequency cell measurement, an inter-frequency cell that meets ameasurement event cannot be measured quickly, or the electricalconsumption for measurement is wasted.

Therefore, in the present invention, measurement time parameters are setin advance according to different information about an inter-frequencyband, and a mapping between information about an inter-frequency bandand different identifiers of measurement time parameters are saved. Forsome inter-frequency bands, if a cell at an inter-frequency band needsto be measured more quickly, the gap duration in the measurement timeparameters may be suitably prolonged, the gap repetition cycle isshortened, and the minimum available measurement time is increased, soas to measure an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement eventmore quickly.

For some information about an inter-frequency band, if aninter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event does not need to bemeasured more quickly, the gap duration in the measurement timeparameters may be shortened, the gap repetition cycle is prolonged, andthe minimum available measurement time is decreased, so as to achievethe objective of saving the power consumption of the terminal.

The performing, based on the target measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement is specifically:

performing, after a receiving frequency is adjusted into theinter-frequency band, a search to determine an inter-frequency celllocated at the inter-frequency band; and

performing, based on the time specifications of the target measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement.

In this embodiment, a terminal first searches for, after receiving ameasurement command carrying information about an inter-frequency bandsent by a network side device, according to a presaved mapping betweenmeasurement time parameters and information about an inter-frequencyband, target measurement time parameters corresponding to theinformation about the inter-frequency band, and performs, based on thetarget measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.According to different information about an inter-frequency band, basedon different measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement is performed to determine a cell that meets a measurementevent more quickly, and at the same time further save the powerconsumption of the terminal and enhance the performance of the terminal.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method for inter-frequency cell measurementaccording to Embodiment 11 of the present invention, in which the methodmay include:

Step 1101. A terminal receives a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band and corresponding targetmeasurement time parameters thereof sent by a network side device, wherethe measurement command is sent after the network side device finds,according to a presaved mapping between different measurement timeparameters and different information about an inter-frequency band,target measurement time parameters corresponding to the informationabout the inter-frequency band.

Step 1102. Perform, based on the target measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

The terminal may perform, after receiving the measurement command, basedon target measurement time parameters carried in the measurementcommand, inter-frequency cell measurement.

Before step 1101 is performed, the terminal may further send acapability identifier to the network side device, and the network sidedevice may determine, after receiving the capability identifier, thatthe terminal is capable of measuring in parallel cells at differentinter-frequency bands based on different measurement time parameters.Therefore, the network side device first searches for, when sending ameasurement command, according to a presaved mapping between measurementtime parameters and information about an inter-frequency band, targetmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about theinter-frequency band, and then sends the measurement command, and theterminal may then perform, based on the target measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, so as to determine a cellthat meets a measurement event more quickly, and at the same timefurther save the power consumption of the terminal and enhance theperformance of the terminal.

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, inwhich the device may include:

A receiving module 1201 is configured to receive a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band sent by a networkside device.

The device in this embodiment may be specifically applied in a terminal,the measurement command includes the information about aninter-frequency band, for example, the frequency of a cell to bemeasured, and the terminal may determine, according to the informationabout the inter-frequency band, an inter-frequency cell located at theband and perform measurement.

A first detection module 1202 is configured to detect whether acandidate cell is present within a certain range of a current position.

The current position may refer to the position of the device or aterminal containing the device in the serving cell, and the candidatecell may include an inter-frequency cell at a band that currently needsto be measured, which is a candidate cell distinguished from the servingcell of the terminal.

A first measurement module 1203 is configured to perform, based onpreset first measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement.

The measurement time parameters may include a gap duration, that is, anavailable time in each time of measurement; a gap repetition cycle, thatis, an interval time between gaps; and a minimum available measurementtime, in which the sum of time for actual measurement within a certaintime range should not be smaller than the minimum available measurementtime, so as to limit the actual time that the terminal performsmeasurement within the certain time, so that the inter-frequency cellmeasurement is capable of meeting a certain demand. For example, the gapduration is 6 ms (milliseconds), the gap repetition cycle is 80 ms, andthe minimum available time within 480 ms is 30 ms; that is to say, theterminal may perform signal measurement once every 80 ms, each time ofmeasurement takes 6 ms, and the minimum available time specifies thatthe terminal at least performs measurement (30 ms/6 ms)=5 times withinevery 480 ms.

A second measurement module 1204 is configured to perform, based onpreset second measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement.

The first measurement time parameters include a first gap duration, afirst gap repetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurementtime, the second measurement time parameters include a second gapduration, a second gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum availablemeasurement time, the first gap duration is longer than the second gapduration, and/or the second gap repetition cycle is shorter than thesecond gap repetition cycle, and/or the first minimum availablemeasurement time is greater than the second minimum availablemeasurement time. That is to say, compared with the inter-frequency cellsignal measurement on the second measurement time parameters, the actualtime for inter-frequency cell measurement within a certain period islonger in the inter-frequency cell signal measurement on the firstmeasurement time parameters, so that an inter-frequency cell thatsatisfies a measurement requirement can be selected more quickly.

In an embodiment, the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters may be carried in the measurement command.Therefore, the device may further include a first feedback module,configured to feed back to the network side device identifiers ofmeasurement time parameters to be adopted and/or an application momentof the measurement time parameters.

In another embodiment, the device may further include a saving module,configured to save the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters. Therefore, the first measurement timeparameters and/or the second measurement time parameters may be furthersaved in network side device and in the saving module of the device,respectively, so that the device may further include a first feedbackmodule, configured to feed back to the network side device theidentifiers of measurement time parameters to be adopted and/or theapplication moment of the measurement time parameters.

In still another embodiment, the first measurement time parametersand/or second measurement time parameters may further be saved in thesaving module of the device only. Therefore, alternatively, the devicemay further include a second feedback module, configured to feed back tothe network side device current measurement information, and themeasurement information includes the first measurement time parametersand/or second measurement time parameters.

In addition, the device may further include a second determinationmodule, configured to determine whether a measurement identifier iscarried in the measurement command, and if yes, trigger the firstdetection module to start.

In this embodiment, the receiving module performs, after receiving themeasurement command of the network side device, when the first detectionmodule detects that a candidate cell is present in the periphery of theposition thereof, based on the first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell signal measurement, so as to determine more quicklyan inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event; when a candidatecell is not present in the periphery of the terminal, performs, based onsecond measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement, so as to reduce the time for measurement and lower thepower consumption of the device. As it is determined that a candidatecell is not present in the periphery of the current position, itindicates that the terminal is away from all inter-frequency cells by along distance, so that the signal measurement is performed based onsecond measurement time parameters that are more power saving, and thepower consumption for measurement is lowered, thereby enhancing theperformance of the device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Thedevice may include a receiving module 1201, a first detection module1202, a first measurement module 1203 and a second measurement module1204. For the specific functions of the modules, reference may be madeto device Embodiment 1.

The first detection module 1202 may specifically include:

An adjustment module 1212 adjusts a receiving frequency into theinter-frequency band.

A signal measurement module 1222 is configured to measure the signalquality or strength of a common channel of the inter-frequency band.

A first determination module 1223 is configured to determine whether thesignal quality or strength of the common channel of the inter-frequencyband is higher than a first preset value, if yes, trigger the firstmeasurement module 1203, and if no, trigger the second measurementmodule 1204.

The first preset value may be carried in the measurement command, and ofcourse may also be preset and stored in the saving module of the device,and the first determination module first determines the first presetvalue from the measurement command or the saving module and thenperforms determination.

The first measurement module 1203 may specifically include:

A first search module 1213 is configured to perform, after the receivingfrequency is adjusted into the inter-frequency band, a search todetermine an inter-frequency cell located at the inter-frequency band.

A first measurement submodule 1223 is configured to perform, based onpreset first measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement.

The second measurement module 1204 may include:

A second search module 1214 is configured to perform, after thereceiving frequency is adjusted into the inter-frequency band, a searchto determine an inter-frequency cell located at the inter-frequencyband.

The second measurement submodule 1224 is configured to perform, based onpreset second measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement.

The first gap duration in the first measurement time parameters islonger than the second gap duration in the second measurement timeparameters, and/or the first gap repetition cycle is shorter than thesecond gap repetition cycle, and/or the first minimum availablemeasurement time is longer than the second minimum available measurementtime. That is to say, compared with the inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement on the second measurement time parameters, theinter-frequency cell signal measurement on the first measurement timeparameters provides a longer time for inter-frequency cell measurement,so as to select more quickly an inter-frequency cell that meets ameasurement event requirement.

The first measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters may be carried in the measurement command, and the device mayfurther include:

A first feedback module is configured to feed back to the network sidedevice the currently adopted identifiers of measurement time parametersand/or an application moment of the measurement time parameters.

When the first measurement time parameters and/or second measurementtime parameters are prestored, the device may further include:

A second determination module is configured to determine whether ameasurement identifier is carried in the measurement command, and ifyes, trigger the first detection module to start.

A second feedback module is configured to feed back to the network sidedevice current measurement information, where the measurementinformation includes the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters.

In addition, when the first search module 1213 performs a search todetermine an inter-frequency cell, a certain search time is needed.Therefore, the first search module 1213 may be further configured toswitch, when monitoring that the search time exceeds a preset time, andif the first search module 1213 fails to find any cell on theinter-frequency band within a preset time, the currently adoptedmeasurement time parameters, and trigger the second measurement moduleto start, so that the device continues measurement based on the timespecifications of the second measurement time parameters.

In this embodiment, when the first detection module determines whether acell is present within a certain range of the terminal by measuringwhether the signal quality or strength of the common channel of theinter-frequency band is higher than a first preset value, if yes,triggers the first measurement module to perform, based on the timespecified in the first measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellsignal measurement, and if no, triggers the second measurement module toperform, based on the time specified in the second measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement, so as to measureand determine an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement eventmore quickly, further reduce the time for measurement of the device,thereby reducing the power consumption of the device and enhancing theperformance of the device.

Additionally, in another embodiment, the first detection module 1203 maybe specifically configured to determine whether a candidate cell ispresent at a certain distance away from a current position through asatellite positioning system, if yes, trigger the first measurementmodule to start, and if no, trigger the second measurement module tostart.

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, inwhich the device may include:

A receiving module 1401 is configured to receive a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band sent by a networkside device.

A second detection module 1402 is configured to detect whether thesignal quality or strength of a serving cell is lower than a secondpreset value.

The serving cell may refer to, for example, a macrocell where theterminal is currently located, and the terminal may listen to the signalof the serving cell and detect the signal quality or strength of theserving cell.

The second preset value may be carried in the measurement command, andof course may also be preset and stored in the saving module of thedevice, and the second detection module first determines the firstpreset value from the measurement command or the saving module and thenperforms determination.

When the signal quality or strength of a serving cell is lower than thesecond preset value, it indicates that the terminal needs to be switchedto other cells as soon as possible to guarantee normal communications ofthe terminal. In this case, the terminal may be too far away from theserving cell to desirably receive the signal of the serving cell, sothat the inter-frequency cell measurement needs to be performed as soonas possible, so as to determine an inter-frequency cell that meets ameasurement event.

When the signal quality or strength of the serving cell is greater thanor equal to the second preset value, it indicates that the serving cellmay further continue to serve the terminal, and the terminal may receivethe signal of the serving cell normally, so that the terminal does nothave to be switched to an inter-frequency cell as soon as possible.

Of course, in another possible case, in heterogeneous networkdeployment, by taking an example in which a small cell is set in amacrocell, the small cell might be at the edge of the coverage of themacrocell. When it is monitored that the signal quality or strength of aserving cell is lower than a second preset value, it is regarded thatthe terminal is at the edge of the serving cell, and therefore thedistance from the small cell is shorter, and it may be determined that asmall cell is present in the periphery of the terminal. When the signalquality or strength of the serving cell of the terminal is greater thanor equal to the second preset value, it may be regarded that aninter-frequency cell is not present in the periphery of the terminal,and the distance from the small cell is larger.

A first measurement module 1403 is configured to perform, when thedetection result of the second detection module is yes, based on presetfirst measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The first measurement module 1403 may specifically include:

A first search module 1413 is configured to perform, after the receivingfrequency is adjusted into the inter-frequency band, search, determinean inter-frequency cell located at the inter-frequency band.

A first measurement submodule 1423 is configured to perform, based onpreset first measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement.

A second measurement module 1404 is configured to perform, when thedetection result of the second detection module is no, based on presetsecond measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The first measurement time parameters include a first gap duration, afirst gap repetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurementtime, the second measurement time parameters include a second gapduration, a second gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum availablemeasurement time, and the first gap duration is longer than the secondgap duration, and/or the second gap repetition cycle is shorter than thesecond gap repetition cycle, and/or the first minimum availablemeasurement time is longer than the second minimum available measurementtime.

The second measurement module 1404 may specifically include:

A second search module 1414 is configured to perform, after thereceiving frequency is adjusted into the inter-frequency band, a searchto determine an inter-frequency cell located at the inter-frequencyband.

A second measurement submodule 1424 is configured to perform, based onpreset second measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signalmeasurement.

In an embodiment, the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters may be carried in the measurement command.Therefore, the device may further include a first feedback module,configured to feed back to the network side device identifiers ofmeasurement time parameters to be adopted and/or an application momentof the measurement time parameters.

In another embodiment, the device may further include a saving module,configured to save the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters. Therefore, the first measurement timeparameters and/or second measurement time parameters are further savedin the network side device and in the saving module of the device,respectively, so that the device may further include a first feedbackmodule, configured to feed back to the network side device identifiersof measurement time parameters to be adopted and/or an applicationmoment of the measurement time parameters.

In still another embodiment, the first measurement time parametersand/or second measurement time parameters may further be saved in thesaving module of the device only. Therefore, alternatively, the devicemay further include a second feedback module, configured to feed back tothe network side device current measurement information, where themeasurement information includes the first measurement time parametersand/or second measurement time parameters.

In addition, the device may further include a second determinationmodule, configured to determine whether a measurement identifier iscarried in the measurement command, and if yes, trigger the firstdetection module to start.

In this embodiment, the first detection module detects whether thesignal quality or strength of a serving cell is lower than a secondpreset value, if yes, trigger the first measurement module to perform,based on the time specified in the first measurement time parameters, ainter-frequency cell signal measurement, and if no, trigger the secondmeasurement module to perform, based on the time specified in the secondmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell signal measurement, soas to determine an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement eventas soon as possible, so as to reduce the time for measurement of thedevice, thereby reducing the power consumption of the device andenhancing the performance of the device.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, inwhich the device may include:

A receiving module 1501 is configured to receive a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band sent by a networkside device.

A third measurement module 1502 is configured to perform, within a firstperiod, based on preset third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

A fourth measurement module 1503 is configured to perform, within asecond period, based on preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, or suspend inter-frequency cellmeasurement, where the first period and second period alternately form acontinuous time, and the third measurement time parameters are differentfrom the fourth measurement time parameters.

The first period and second period may be provided by the network sidedevice. That is, the network side device may start, after sending themeasurement command, to count the first period, and send, when the firstperiod ends, first adjustment trigger information, and at the same timestart to count the second period, and send, when the second period ends,second adjustment trigger information, and at the same time restart tocount the first period. Therefore, the third measurement module mayspecifically perform, after receiving the measurement command or secondadjustment trigger information, based on the first measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement. The fourth measurementmodule may specifically perform, after receiving the first adjustmenttrigger information, based on second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

Of course, the first period and second period may be controlled by theterminal, the specific duration of the period may be allocated by theterminal in advance, and may also be carried in the measurement commandof the network side device.

The first period and second period alternately form a continuous time,and through the alternating first period and second period,inter-frequency cell measurement may be performed based on the timespecified in different measurement time parameters.

The third measurement time parameters and the fourth measurement timeparameters are different. Based on different time specifications of themeasurement time parameters, when inter-frequency cell measurement isperformed, the electrical consumption for measurement is different, sothat the power consumption is also different.

The device may further include an identifier determination module,configured to determine whether the measurement command carries ameasurement identifier, and if yes, trigger the third measurement moduleor fourth measurement module to start.

In this embodiment, the third measurement module and the fourthmeasurement module perform, within different periods, based on timespecifications of different measurement time parameters, inter-frequencycell measurement, and different measurement time parameters specifydifferent actual measurement time, so that inter-frequency cellmeasurement is not always performed based on one type of measurementtime parameters. Therefore, the electrical consumption for measurementof the device may be reduced, thereby lowering the power consumption ofthe device, enhancing the performance of the device, and guaranteeingthe probability that an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurementevent is determined within a certain time, and the device is capable ofenhancing, when being applied in the terminal, enhancing the performanceof the terminal.

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Thedevice may include a receiving module 1501, a third measurement module1502 and a fourth measurement module 1503. For the functions of themodules, reference may be made to device Embodiment 4. The differencefrom device Embodiment 4 lies in that, the device in this embodimentfurther includes a first timing module 1504 and a second timing module1505.

The first timing module 1504 is configured to provide a first period,and trigger, when the first period ends, the fourth measurement module1503 and the second timing module 1505 to start.

The second timing module 1505 is configured to provide a second period,and trigger, when the second period ends, the third measurement module1502 and the first timing module 1504 to start.

In practical applications, the first timing module and the second timingmodule may be specifically timers. The duration parameters set for thetimers may be carried in the measurement command, and may also bepreconfigured by the device.

The first timing module and the second timing module alternately startto implement the alternate first period and second period and form acontinuous time.

The device may further include an identifier determination module,configured to determine whether the measurement command carries ameasurement identifier, and if yes, trigger the third measurement moduleand the first timing module to start. The first timing module startscounting, and the third measurement module performs, within the countingperiod of the first timing module, based on third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

In this embodiment, alternatively, the third gap duration in the thirdmeasurement time parameters is greater than the fourth gap duration inthe fourth measurement time parameters, and/or the third gap repetitioncycle is smaller than the fourth gap repetition cycle, and/or the thirdminimum available measurement time is greater than the fourth minimumavailable measurement time. That is, the terminal may first perform,based on the third measurement time parameters that enable aninter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event to be determinedmore quickly, inter-frequency cell measurement, set the time length thatthe terminal performs, based on the third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, and perform, when the first periodends, based on the preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, or suspend measurement, so as toreduce the electrical consumption for measurement to a certain degreeand lower the power consumption.

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Thedevice may include a receiving module 1501, a third measurement module1502 and a fourth measurement module 1503. For the functions of themodules, reference may be made to device Embodiment 4. The differencefrom device Embodiment 4 lies in that, the device in this embodimentfurther includes a first timing module 1504 and a third timing module1506.

The first timing module 1504 is configured to provide a first period,and trigger, when the first period ends, the fourth measurement module1503 to start.

The third timing module 1506 is configured to provide the first periodand a second period, and trigger, when the second period ends, the thirdmeasurement module 1502, the first timing module 1504, and the thirdtiming module to start.

In practical applications the first timing module and the third timingmodule may be specifically timers, and the duration parameters set forthe timers may be carried in the measurement command, and may also bepreconfigured by the device.

The first timing module and the third timing module may start at thesame time. The first timing module and the third timing module may startafter receiving a trigger instruction of the first receiving module, andmay also start after it is determined that the first receiving modulehas received the measurement command sent by the network side device, soas to provide the alternate first period and second period and form acontinuous time.

The device may further include an identifier determination module,configured to determine whether the measurement command carries ameasurement identifier, and if yes, trigger the third measurementmodule, the first timing module, and the second timing module to start.

In this embodiment, alternatively, the third gap duration in the thirdmeasurement time parameters is greater than the fourth gap duration inthe fourth measurement time parameters, and/or the third gap repetitioncycle is smaller than the fourth gap repetition cycle, and/or the thirdminimum available measurement time is greater than the fourth minimumavailable measurement time. That is, the third measurement module mayfirst perform, based on the third measurement time parameters thatenable an inter-frequency cell that meets a measurement event to bedetermined more quickly, inter-frequency cell measurement, set the timelength that the terminal performs, based on the third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, and trigger, when thefirst period ends, the fourth measurement module to perform, based onthe preset fourth measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement, or suspend measurement, so as to reduce the electricalconsumption for measurement to a certain degree and lower the powerconsumption of the device.

FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, inwhich the device may include:

A receiving module 1801 is configured to receive a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band sent by a networkside device.

A search module 1802 is configured to search for, according to apresaved mapping between measurement time parameters and informationabout an inter-frequency band, target measurement time parameterscorresponding to the information about the inter-frequency band.

A cell measurement module 1803 is configured to perform, based on thetarget measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The device may further include:

A third determination module 1804 is configured to determine whether themeasurement command carries a measurement identifier, and if yes,trigger the search module 1802 to start.

The device may further include a sending module, configured to send acapability identifier to the network side device, and the network sidedevice may determine, after receiving the capability identifier, thatterminal has the capability of measuring in parallel cells at differentinter-frequency bands based on different measurement time parameters,and then send to the terminal the measurement command carrying themeasurement identifier.

In this embodiment, after the receiving module receives a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band sent by anetwork side device, the search module first searches for targetmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about theinter-frequency band according to a presaved mapping between measurementtime parameters and information about an inter-frequency band, andtriggers the cell measurement module to perform, based on the targetmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.Inter-frequency cell measurement is performed according to differentinformation about an inter-frequency band based on different measurementtime parameters, so as to determine more quickly a cell that meets ameasurement event, and at the same time save the power consumption andenhance the performance of the device.

FIG. 19 is a schematic structural view of a device for inter-frequencycell measurement according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, inwhich the device may include:

A receiving module 1901 is configured to receive a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band and correspondingtarget measurement time parameters thereof sent by a network sidedevice, where the measurement command is sent after the network sidedevice finds the target measurement time parameters corresponding to theinformation about the inter-frequency band according to a presavedmapping between measurement time parameters and information about aninter-frequency band.

A cell measurement module 1902 is configured to perform, based on thetarget measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The device may further include:

A sending module 1903 is configured to send a capability identifier tothe network side device, where the measurement command is specificallysent after the network side device receives the capability identifierand finds the target measurement time parameters corresponding to theinformation about the inter-frequency band according to a presavedmapping between measurement time parameters and information about aninter-frequency band.

It should be noted that, in the foregoing embodiments, reference may bemade between the functions of same or similar modules, and therefore thedescriptions in some embodiments are relatively simple.

The device for inter-frequency cell measurement of the present inventionmay be specifically integrated to a terminal, and therefore the presentinvention further provides a terminal, which includes the device forinter-frequency cell measurement.

The present invention further provides a system for inter-frequency cellmeasurement. FIG. 20 is a schematic structural view of the systemaccording to an embodiment. The system may include:

A network side device 2001 is configured to send to a terminal ameasurement command carrying information about an inter-frequency band.

In practical applications, the network side device may be specificallyequipment such as a small base station, a home base station, a relaystation and a wireless local area network access point.

A terminal 2002 is configured to detect, after receiving the measurementcommand, whether a candidate cell is present within a certain range of acurrent position; if yes, perform, based on preset first measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; and if no, perform,based on preset second measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement.

The first measurement time parameters include a first gap duration, afirst gap repetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurementtime, the second measurement time parameters include a second gapduration, a second gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum availablemeasurement time, and the first gap duration is longer than the secondgap duration, and/or the first gap repetition cycle is shorter than thesecond gap repetition cycle, and/or the first minimum availablemeasurement time is longer than the second minimum available measurementtime.

The terminal is currently located in the serving cell 2003, andinter-frequency cells 2004 whose carrier frequencies are different fromthat of the serving cell 2003 are scattered in the serving cell 2003.When the network side device monitors that the network traffic volume ofthe serving cell of the terminal is high, or to enhance the effect ofthe inter-frequency cell in increasing the system capacity, in order toselect a suitable inter-frequency cell to distribute the networkservice, the network side device commands the terminal to performinter-frequency cell measurement and sends a measurement command to theterminal.

For the operations specifically performed by the terminal and thenetwork side device, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments,so no further details are provided here. For the schematic structuralviews of the terminal and the network side device, reference may be madeto FIG. 20. The difference thereof from the foregoing embodiments onlylies in that the specific functions implemented by the terminal and thenetwork side device are different.

The terminal may specifically be a terminal that includes the device forinter-frequency cell measurement of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

Through the system for inter-frequency cell measurement in thisembodiment, the inter-frequency cell measurement may be implemented, andat the same time the power consumption for measurement of the terminalis further saved, thereby enhancing the performance of the terminal.

In another embodiment, the present invention further provides a systemfor inter-frequency cell measurement, in which the system may include:

A network side device is configured to send to a terminal a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band.

The terminal is configured to detect, after receiving the measurementcommand, whether the signal quality or strength of a serving cell islower than a second preset value, where the second preset value iscarried in the measurement command or prestored in the terminal; if yes,perform, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; and if no, perform, based on presetsecond measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The first measurement time parameters include a first gap duration, afirst gap repetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurementtime, the second measurement time parameters include a second gapduration, a second gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum availablemeasurement time, and the first gap duration is longer than the secondgap duration, and/or the first gap repetition cycle is shorter than thesecond gap repetition cycle, and/or the first minimum availablemeasurement time is longer than the second minimum available measurementtime.

The terminal may be specifically a terminal that includes the device forinter-frequency cell measurement in Embodiment 3. For the operationsspecifically performed by the terminal and the network side device,reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments, so no furtherdetails are provided here. For the schematic structural views of theterminal and the network side device, reference may be made to FIG. 20.The difference thereof from the foregoing embodiments only lies in thatthe specific functions implemented by the terminal and the network sidedevice are different.

Through the system for inter-frequency cell measurement in thisembodiment, inter-frequency cell measurement may be implemented, and atthe same time the power consumption for measurement of the terminal isfurther saved, thereby enhancing the performance of the terminal.

In still another embodiment, the present invention further provides asystem for inter-frequency cell measurement, in which the system mayinclude:

A network side device is configured to send to a terminal a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band.

The terminal is configured to perform, after receiving the measurementcommand, within a first period, based on preset third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; and perform, within asecond period, based on preset fourth measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement or suspend inter-frequency cellmeasurement, where the first period and the second period alternatelyform a continuous time, and the third measurement time parameters aredifferent from the fourth measurement time parameters.

The terminal may be specifically terminal that includes the device forinter-frequency cell measurement in Embodiment 4, Embodiment 5 orEmbodiment 6. For the operations specifically performed by the terminaland the network side device, reference may be made to the foregoingembodiments, so no further details are provided here. For the schematicstructural views of the terminal and the network side device, referencemay be made to FIG. 20. The difference thereof from the foregoingembodiments only lies in that the specific functions implemented by theterminal and the network side device are different.

Through the system for inter-frequency cell measurement in thisembodiment, inter-frequency cell measurement may be implemented, and atthe same time the power consumption for measurement of the terminal isfurther saved, thereby enhancing the performance of the terminal.

In still another embodiment, the present invention further provides asystem for inter-frequency cell measurement, in which the system mayinclude:

A network side device is configured to send to a terminal a measurementcommand carrying information about an inter-frequency band.

The terminal is configured to search for, after receiving themeasurement command, according to a presaved mapping between measurementtime parameters and information about an inter-frequency band, targetmeasurement time parameters corresponding to the information about theinter-frequency band; where the terminal performs, based on the targetmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.

The terminal may be specifically a terminal that includes the device forinter-frequency cell measurement in Embodiment 7. For the operationsspecifically performed by the terminal and the network side device,reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments, so no furtherdetails are provided here. For the schematic structural views of theterminal and the network side device, reference may be made to FIG. 20.The difference thereof from the foregoing embodiments only lies in thatthe specific functions implemented by the terminal and the network sidedevice are different.

In still another embodiment, the present invention further provides asystem for inter-frequency cell measurement, in which the system mayinclude:

A network side device is configured to search for, according to apresaved mapping between measurement time parameters and informationabout an inter-frequency band, target measurement time parameterscorresponding to information about an inter-frequency band; and send toa terminal a measurement command carrying the information about theinter-frequency band and the corresponding target measurement timeparameters thereof.

The terminal is configured to perform, after receiving the measurementcommand, based on the target measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement.

The terminal may be specifically a terminal that includes the device forinter-frequency cell measurement in Embodiment 8. The operationsspecifically performed by the terminal and the network side device maybe referred to the foregoing embodiments, so no further details areprovided here. For the schematic structural views of the terminal andthe network side device, reference may be made to FIG. 20. Thedifference thereof from the foregoing embodiments only lies in that thespecific functions implemented by the terminal and the network sidedevice are different.

All embodiments describe the present invention by using the progressivemethod. Each embodiment describes only the difference from otherembodiments. For the similar parts among all embodiments, reference maybe made to the relevant parts. The apparatus disclosed in the embodimentis related to the method disclosed in the embodiments, and is thereforeoutlined. For the associated part, reference may be made to thedescription in the method embodiments.

It should be noted that the relational terms herein such as first andsecond are used only to differentiate an entity or operation fromanother entity or operation, and do not require or imply any actualrelationship or sequence between these entities or operations. Moreover,the terms “include”, “comprise”, and any variation thereof are intendedto cover a non-exclusive inclusion”. Therefore, in the context of aprocess, method, object, or device that includes a series of elements,the process, method, object, or device not only includes such elements,but also includes other elements not specified expressly, or may includeinherent elements of the process, method, object, or device. If no morelimitations are made, an element limited by “include a/an . . . ” doesnot exclude other same elements existing in the process, the method, thearticle, or the device which includes the element.

Based on the description of the disclosed embodiments, persons of theordinary skill in the art can implement or apply the present invention.Various modifications of the embodiments are apparent to persons ofordinary skill in the art, and general principles defined in thespecification can be implemented in other embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, thepresent invention is not limited to the embodiments in thespecification, but intends to cover the most extensive scope consistentwith the principle and the novel features disclosed in thespecification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for inter-frequency cell measurement,the method comprising: receiving, by a terminal, a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band sent by a networkside device; detecting whether the signal quality or strength of aserving cell is lower than a second preset value, wherein the secondpreset value is carried in the measurement command or prestored in theterminal; if yes, performing, based on preset first measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; and if no, performing,based on preset second measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement, wherein the first measurement time parameters comprise afirst gap duration, a first gap repetition cycle, and a first minimumavailable measurement time, the second measurement time parameterscomprise a second gap duration, a second gap repetition cycle, and asecond minimum available measurement time, and the first gap duration islonger than the second gap duration, and/or the first gap repetitioncycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle, and/or the firstminimum available measurement time is longer than the second minimumavailable measurement time.
 2. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe first measurement time parameters and/or second measurement timeparameters are carried in the measurement command, and the methodfurther comprises: feeding back, to the network side device, identifiersof measurement time parameters to be adopted, and/or an applicationmoment of the measurement time parameters.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters are prestored in the terminal, and themethod further comprises: determining whether a measurement identifieris carried in the measurement command, and if yes, performing a step ofdetecting whether a candidate cell is present within a certain range ofa current position.
 4. A method for inter-frequency cell measurement,the method comprising: receiving, by a terminal, a measurement commandcarrying information about an inter-frequency band sent by a networkside device; performing, within a first period, based on preset thirdmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; andperforming, within a second period, based on preset fourth measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement or suspendinginter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the first period and thesecond period alternately form a continuous time, and the thirdmeasurement time parameters are different from the fourth measurementtime parameters.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the firstperiod and the second period are provided by the network side device. 6.The method according to claim 4, wherein: performing, within a firstperiod, based on preset third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement comprises: starting a first timer, andperforming, based on the preset third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the first timer is configuredto provide the first period; and performing, within a second period,based on preset fourth measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement or suspending inter-frequency cell measurement comprises:starting, when the first timer expires, a second timer, and performing,based on the preset fourth measurement time parameters, inter-frequencycell measurement, or suspending inter-frequency cell measurement,wherein the second timer is configured to provide the second period; andwhen the second timer expires, returning to the step of starting a firsttimer, and continuing to perform, based on the preset third measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein: performing, within a first period, basedon preset third measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement comprises: starting a first timer and a third timer,respectively, and performing, based on the preset third measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the first timerprovides the first period, and the third timer provides the first periodand the second period; and performing, within a second period, based onpreset fourth measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement or suspending inter-frequency cell measurement comprises:when the first timer expires, performing, based on the preset fourthmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, orsuspending inter-frequency cell measurement; and when the third timerexpires, returning to the step of starting a first timer and a thirdtimer, respectively, and continuing to perform, based on the presetthird measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement. 8.The method according to claim 6, before performing, within a firstperiod, based on preset third measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, further comprising: determiningwhether the measurement command carries a measurement identifier, and ifyes, then performing the step of performing, within a first period,based on preset third measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement.
 9. A method for inter-frequency cell measurement, themethod comprising: sending, by a network side device, to a terminal ameasurement command carrying information about an inter-frequency band;detecting, by the terminal, after receiving the measurement command,whether the signal quality or strength of a serving cell is lower than asecond preset value, wherein the second preset value is carried in themeasurement command or prestored in the terminal; if yes, performing,based on preset first measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement; and if no, performing, based on preset second measurementtime parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the firstmeasurement time parameters comprise a first gap duration, a first gaprepetition cycle, and a first minimum available measurement time, thesecond measurement time parameters comprise a second gap duration, asecond gap repetition cycle, and a second minimum available measurementtime, and the first gap duration is longer than the second gap duration,and/or the first gap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gaprepetition cycle, and/or the first minimum available measurement time islonger than the second minimum available measurement time.
 10. A methodfor inter-frequency cell measurement, the method comprising: sending, bya network side device, to a terminal a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band; performing, by the terminal,after receiving the measurement command, within a first period, based onpreset third measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement; and performing, within a second period, based on presetfourth measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement orsuspending inter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the first periodand the second period alternately form a continuous time, and the thirdmeasurement time parameters are different from the fourth measurementtime parameters.
 11. A device for inter-frequency cell measurement, thedevice comprising: a receiving module, configured to receive ameasurement command carrying information about an inter-frequency bandsent by a network side device; a second detection module, configured todetect whether the signal quality or strength of a serving cell is lowerthan a second preset value, wherein the second preset value is carriedin the measurement command or prestored; a first measurement module,configured to perform, when the detection result of the second detectionmodule is yes, based on preset first measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement; and a second measurement module,configured to perform, when the detection result of the second detectionmodule is no, based on preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the first measurement timeparameters comprise a first gap duration, a first gap repetition cycle,and a first minimum available measurement time, the second measurementtime parameters comprise a second gap duration, a second gap repetitioncycle, and a second minimum available measurement time, and the firstgap duration is longer than the second gap duration, and/or the firstgap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle,and/or the first minimum available measurement time is longer than thesecond minimum available measurement time.
 12. The device according toclaim 10, wherein the first measurement time parameters and/or secondmeasurement time parameters are carried in the measurement command, andthe device further comprises: a first feedback module, configured tofeed back to the network side device identifiers of measurement timeparameters to be adopted, and/or an application moment of themeasurement time parameters.
 13. The device according to claim 10,wherein the first measurement time parameters and/or second measurementtime parameters are prestored, and the device further comprises: asecond determination module, configured to determine whether ameasurement identifier is carried in the measurement command, and ifyes, trigger the second detection module to start.
 14. A device forinter-frequency cell measurement, the device comprising: a receivingmodule, configured to receive a measurement command carrying informationabout an inter-frequency band sent by a network side device; a thirdmeasurement module, configured to perform, within a first period, basedon preset third measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement; and a fourth measurement module, configured to perform,within a second period, based on preset fourth measurement timeparameters, inter-frequency cell measurement, or suspend inter-frequencycell measurement, wherein the first period and the second periodalternately form a continuous time, and the third measurement timeparameters are different from the fourth measurement time parameters.15. The device according to claim 14, further comprising a first timingmodule and a second timing module, wherein: the first timing module isconfigured to provide a first period, and trigger, when the first periodends, the fourth measurement module and the second timing module tostart; and the second timing module is configured to provide a secondperiod, and trigger, when the second period ends, the third measurementmodule and the first timing module to start.
 16. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising a first timing module and a third timingmodule, wherein: the first timing module is configured to provide afirst period, and trigger, when the first period ends, the fourthmeasurement module to start; the third timing module is configured toprovide a first period and a second period, and trigger, when the secondperiod ends, the third measurement module, the first timing module, andthe third timing module itself to start.
 17. The device according toclaim 14, further comprising: an identifier determination module,configured to determine whether the measurement command carries ameasurement identifier, and if yes, trigger the third measurement moduleor fourth measurement module to start.
 18. A system for inter-frequencycell measurement, the system comprising: a network side device,configured to send to a terminal a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band; and a terminal, configured todetect, after receiving the measurement command, whether the signalquality or strength of a serving cell is lower than a second presetvalue, wherein the second preset value is carried in a measurementcommand or prestored in the terminal; if yes, perform, based on presetfirst measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement; ifno, perform, based on preset second measurement time parameters,inter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the first measurement timeparameters comprise a first gap duration, a first gap repetition cycle,and a first minimum available measurement time, the second measurementtime parameters comprise a second gap duration, a second gap repetitioncycle, and a second minimum available measurement time, and the firstgap duration is longer than the second gap duration, and/or the firstgap repetition cycle is shorter than the second gap repetition cycle,and/or the first minimum available measurement time is longer than thesecond minimum available measurement time.
 19. A system forinter-frequency cell measurement, the system comprising: a network sidedevice, configured to send to a terminal a measurement command carryinginformation about an inter-frequency band; and a terminal, configured toperform, after receiving the measurement command, within a first period,based on preset third measurement time parameters, inter-frequency cellmeasurement; and perform, within a second period, based on preset fourthmeasurement time parameters, inter-frequency cell measurement or suspendinter-frequency cell measurement, wherein the first period and thesecond period alternately form a continuous time, and the thirdmeasurement time parameters are different from the fourth measurementtime parameters.